After conquering New York, Nissan proposes to replace London’s iconic cabs with the NV200(Evalia) MPV

When Nissan won the contract to supply New York City its next generation taxi, in the form of the NV200 MPV, many a car enthusaist cried foul as this meant the end of the road for the legendary Crown Victoria. The Nissan NV200 MPV, with its spacious innards, bomb proof Japanese reliability and higher fuel economy meant that the Crown Victoria’s legendary appeal and iconic stature never stood a chance. It might very well be a reprise at London, where Nissan is pitching to rpelace the aging fleet of TX4 taxi that is built by the London Taxi company.

2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab

Nissan is pitting the NV200 MPV’s diesel engined variant against the instantly recongnizable TX4 taxi and has effecte a range of modifications on the NV200 to ensure that the MPV can do everything that the TX4 can, and then some more. Firstly, the front track of the NV200 has been increased by 200 mm. The increase in track will give the NV200 a turning radius of under 25 feet, to rival the TX4 cab, which also comes with a turning radius of 25 feet. While the TX4 cab features a 2.5 Liter common rail turbo diesel engine, the NV200 will be outftted with the 1.5 Liter K9K turbo diesel engine.

The high fuel economy, low turbo lag and low tail pipe emissions will be the factors of the 1.5 Liter K9K turbo diesel engine that Nissan will use to promote the NV200 over the TX4. This engine will produce a peak power of 89 Bhp and peak torque of 240 Nm. While the TX4 taxi cab comes with doors that open to an angle of 90 degress for ease of ingress and egress, the NV200 features sliding doors, which is even more convenient. Also, the MPV will feature a panoramic glass roof to give travelers a better view of the city’s various sights.All this, with the cost of the Nissan NV200 being lesser than that of the TX4 taxi.

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab Panoramic Roof

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab Rear Passenger Seat

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab Rear

: 2012 Nissan NV200 London Taxi Cab

Also, a huge factor that will be boosting Nissan’s case to replace the TX4 taxi cab with the NV200 MPV is the fact that NV200 has an electric variant under development, all set to go into production in the next couple of years. Given that London mayor Boris ‘Zipwire’ Johnson has plans of making London’s taxi fleet a zero emission operation by 2020, the electric NV200 MPV could be the trump card in Nissan’s bid to replace the TX4s. Meanwhile here’s what Nissan has had to say about the NV200 improving the air quality of London,

If all of London’s licensed taxis were replaced with the NV200 London Taxi, there would be a CO2 reduction across London of 37,970 metric tonnes [41,855 tons] each year.

Source GizMag